My summer home is in the White Mountains of Arizona, USA. Because this area is so lush in the summer, ranchers bring their cattle up from lower elevations to feast on the acres of green vegetation tucked in between the ponderosa pines and … Read more

When I was a young parent, I made a rule that my children hold my hand when crossing streets or in crowded places. I wanted to make sure that they were safe or that they didn't wander away. I've often seen children just automatically … Read more

With my wife going to heaven in 2016, following our younger son going in 2005, I am more than eager to join them. However, I must confess that frequently, I wonder how I am going to die. You may wonder that also, since it is something … Read more

Today's world may seem dark and frightening. Many people harbour fear and dread of an uncertain future. Along with a deadly disease has come widespread unemployment. Life as we have always known it may never again be quite the same. A … Read more

It seems that from a young age until death, life is not very peaceful. We are continually being either pushed or pulled, sometimes by others and sometimes by our own desires. I was reminded of this recently when I listened to a number of … Read more

The e-mail response to my recent devotional of July 2nd, regarding my total hip replacement surgery, was overwhelming, as many readers were apparently able to relate to my plight. Now, in following up, I wish to share how God made all … Read more

We're all looking for peace in our lives: peace and quiet in order to rest; peace in our households in order to get along; peace at our work, so we can be effective as teams; peace in our neighbourhood, so we can sleep at night; peace in … Read more

Like many in later years, I was having a tossing-and-turning, sleepless night. This is not unusual for me, as I have been under spiritual attack for many years. I must cope with audible voices 24/7, and nighttime is the most difficult. … Read more

As a retiree, I have kept myself busy since my husband's death seven years ago, volunteering in many organizations. At times, the pace of these commitments was hectic, but I soldiered on, afraid not to be occupied and thus alone. My … Read more

I remember well one day when my husband and I were travelling up the inside passage on the west coast of Canada from Vancouver towards the border of Alaska, and my husband discovered that our boat could sail only forward. Try as he might … Read more

The day was bright, clear, and sunny. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the large oak tree that stands strong and tall in my front yard. It was peaceful. Yet, approximately five hundred miles away, there was chaos. Twelve years have … Read more

I have locks on the doors in my house, both on interior doors that lead to bathrooms and bedrooms and exterior doors that lead to the outside. The only reasons that interior doors are locked are to ensure privacy or to hide a messy room. … Read more

As there were for the apostle Paul, there are still so many pressing and perplexing troubles. We see our personal problems, family problems, church problems, community problems, regional problems, national problems, world problems. How can we handle it all? We … Read more

As far back as I can remember, I have had an active imagination with the ability to visualize. This can be pleasant and sweetly exciting when it works for good. But in the past, I frequently experienced periods of extremely … Read more

Sometimes our situation seems impossible. I have gone through many such times. I have lost family. Jobs have been terminated. Finances have gone by the wayside. Such situations boggle the mind. They are simply unmanageable without help. … Read more

Every now and then during my teenage years, in order to get away from the pressures at home, I would go and visit my aunt. She lived in a newly-built community, just outside of Glasgow, called Cumbernauld. I always enjoyed … Read more

We were into the tenth day of a heat wave and drought moving through our area. My flowers were parched and drooping, desperate for water. Those that had been watered the evening before were again in need of a drink. … Read more

Although I am often in awe at the complete appropriateness in the pairing of hymns to the Daily devotionals, I am told that except for those few times when one may be requested, no particular thought or concerted effort goes … Read more

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine started collecting frogs. Since then I have received several greeting cards with frogs on them, a frog planter which sits on the shelf on my office, and a Gund frog which sits … Read more

During the summer, I thought I had my life all together for the fall. I was tutoring three days after school, I had a greenhouse job at which I could work whatever hours I wanted, and life seemed all set. … Read more

Years ago now while a student studying at Knox College, I shared a message What Fear do you Fear? and in it I was asking folk if they were afraid of things that go bump in the night – and … Read more

In the study Practising Peace, produced by our denomination a couple of years back, the author tells about a commercial from years ago which began: "Do you wake up more tired than when you went to bed? Do you lack … Read more